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How HWDSB Handles Inclement Weather

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How HWDSB Handles Inclement Weather

As winter approaches, we want to remind all HWDSB families about how we make the decision to cancel school and board operations. This is often a difficult call to make, and is made with the safety and security of our students and staff in mind.

In the event of inclement weather, our Transportation Department advises our carriers to drive predetermined routes to assess the condition of the roads. This is done between 4:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. The drivers report back to the carriers and HWDSB begins to receive reports between 5:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.

In the meantime, our Transportation Department is verifying the weather forecast through our local media outlets as well as contacting the City of Hamilton Works Department to determine where possible what roads have been cleared or when they are expected to be serviced.

The decision to close our schools is made in conjunction with our colleagues at the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board based on relevant information at that time.

We will make every effort to cancel all school and board administrative operations by 6:00 a.m.

School Boards across Ontario have varying polices about the cancellation of schools. At HWDSB, the cancellation of transportation due to inclement weather immediately triggers the closure of our schools. However, at its meeting of November 17, 2014, the Board of Trustees approved a resolution that allows the Director, (or designate), the discretion to keep schools open in the event transportation is cancelled due to extreme cold temperatures for the 2016-2017 school year.

Please remember, as a parent/guardian you always have the choice on whether or not to send your child to school.

For more information about this policy, please view Inclement Weather and Board Cancellations.

Weather-Cancellation-Infographic

severe weather graphic

 

Updated on Friday, December 01, 2017.
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